Rooney England action may benefit Utd

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is thankful for the intrusion of international duty ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League duel with Rangers.

Amid the rancour over Wayne Rooney's personal life - and Ferguson's decision to leave his star striker out of Saturday's shock draw at Everton - it has largely been ignored that the Manchester United man's two England games triggered an impressive return to form.

"We expect a good performance from him," said Ferguson. "He will always prove his worth because he is a terrific player. I don't know if the situation will inspire him but his performances for England and the fact he scored was a boost."

Ferguson does not appear to harbour the same concerns about putting Rooney in his starting line-up at Old Trafford on Tuesday night as he did at Goodison Park over the weekend.

There have been claims that Ferguson's declaration that he wanted to save Rooney from abuse at the home of his former club was merely a smokescreen and the real reason for his omission was punishment for the allegations affecting his private life.

Yet Ferguson is sticking to his mantra. Moreover, the Scot insisted he made the right call to leave Rooney out this weekend, just as he is certain the 24-year-old is ready to face Rangers.

"I have no regrets at all. I did the right thing," said Ferguson. "I left him out for the reasons I said on Saturday. I was not going to subject him to that nonsense at that ground.

"It was a benefit to our team but I have no concerns about playing him at all."